Marcus Rashford and the act of courage that showed his Man Utd journey is not done yet

After a gilt-edged miss at the end of normal time, Rashford could have been forgiven for disappearing says Pete Hall, but instead the forward rose again to help settle a remarkable FA Cup comeback against Liverpool

Rashford celebrates after United knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup (Reuters)

Marcus Rashford had his and his manager’s fate in his hands: with the last kick of normal time, the forward could and should have earned Manchester United the most thrilling of victories over their great rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Nobody could believe he missed, but such moments invariably happen to Rashford. There is never a dull moment in the 26-year-old’s life, on and off the pitch. When he steps out of line, the world always seems to be watching, ready to pile on.

After Harvey Elliot then put Liverpool ahead in extra time, once a pulsating FA Cup quarter-final tie could not be decided in 90 minutes, you could see the headlines: with one easy target again singled out for a defeat that could have spelled the end of Erik ten Hag’s time in Manchester – out of the only competition his side can win – and potentially Rashford’s too, with talk of a summer exit not going away.

Rashford’s love affair with his boyhood club, however, is not for souring just yet. He kept coming and coming, regardless of the naysayers lingering overhead. His equaliser in the 112th minute was expertly put away, with his celebration letting everyone know just how much this club still means.

The roar could be heard in all corners of the ground, a bellow from the gut that he will feel the next day. Not done there, he came again, supplying a superb pass for Scott McTominay moments later, one that the Scot should have put away.

Alas, another player with a point to prove, Amad Diallo, did net a last-gasp winner to complete the most remarkable of comebacks, one with the gravitas to raise this sleeping giant from its slumber.

Players sunk to their knees upon the final whistle. Antony was in tears. Alejandro Garnacho beat his chest, shorts rolled up to show his muddied thighs like Roy of the Rovers, while Bruno Fernandes lost his head for the right reasons. Rashford was simply soaking it all in.

Rashford dug deep to bring his beleaguered side level again (Reuters)

“The noise tells you how important that was,” Rashford said. “We’ve not had the season we wanted but we got the win.

“I wish I scored half an hour ago but I’m happy we got the job done. It’s a massive night in the history of United.”

And the history of the player in question, too. After plundering 30 goals last season, this was supposed to be the campaign Rashford really reached for the stars. After years of unfulfilled potential, he needed to back up last season’s progress with another goal-laden term.

On and off the pitch, however, things have again taken a turn. Fans have again focused their ire on Rashford, with questions about his attitude and application never far away.

His media profile, and his penchant for an ill-advised night out, makes him an easy target, and once again, with United masters of their own downfall in the first half at Old Trafford, throwing away a 1-0 lead, conceding two easily avoidable goals in three minutes and 11 seconds before the break, Rashford was again singled out for criticism, with former skipper-turned TV pundit Roy Keane identifying that perceived lack of interest once more after Jarell Quansah’s run from centre-back set up Liverpool’s equaliser.

After that gilt-edged miss at the death in normal time, Rashford could have been forgiven for disappearing, head drooped, his moment having came and went.

Rashford reacts after his late miss almost cost United (Reuters)

To dig deep and bring his beleaguered side level again, after keeping an unrelenting Jurgen Klopp juggernaut on the back foot, when they should have been hammering the final nail into Ten Hag’s coffin, takes courage most cannot muster.

He will of course have more productive afternoons and, in the cold light of day, should have finished Liverpool off with that golden chance.

But this is Marcus Rashford. Drama follows him wherever he turns. This time he at least ensured his United story can still have a happy ending yet.